Storage Furniture for Decorative Bedding

ABSTRACT

Storage units resembling a traditional piece of furniture for storing decorative bedding when the bed is in use are discussed and illustrated. The storage units may include an interior storage space for storing decorative pillows and a rack extending outward from the unit for supporting decorative bedding. The rack may be retracted within the unit when not in use. The unit may one or more shelves, doors, and drawers, depending on a desired furniture configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/197,845 having a filing date of Oct. 31, 2008, and entitled “Bedding storage unit”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This application relates generally to storage furniture and methods of making and using such furniture. In particular, this application relates to bedding storage furniture.

BACKGROUND

Modern decorating for bedrooms often includes decorative bedding to provide a particular look and feel for a bedroom. Because of the decorative nature of some bedding, it is not intended to be used when sleeping in the bed. For example, a decorative comforter with several pillows selected to match a particular color scheme and style are often placed over the bedding intended to be used when occupying the bed. Various combinations of decorative duvets, blankets, comforters, pillows, throws, throw pillows, stuffed animals, etc., may be placed on the bed, but will require storage when a person uses the bed for sleeping. Such decorative bedding is often not intended to be washed regularly, and some may require expensive and specialty cleaning processes. Similarly, some blankets used to provide decoration may be heirlooms or very expensive that would not be advisable to be used as bedding.

Storing decorative bedding when not on display or when the bed in use often causes problems for the occupants of the bed and for anyone trying to access the room or the bed. Often, the decorative bedding is placed next to the bed, which can lead to dust and other debris soiling the decorative bedding. Some decorating styles use so much decorative bedding that the amount of bedding causes problems for walking around the bed, which can be dangerous and frustrating when an occupant needs to leave the bed for any reason in the night.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of novel storage furniture for decorative bedding (also called “bedding storage units”) are discussed and illustrated that include a body, a lid and a rack movable between an extended position where the rack extends out of the body and a retracted position where the rack is disposed within the body. The bedding storage units provide storage for decorative bedding in an organized and clean manner while the bed is occupied. Portions of the body may define an interior space sized to accommodate decorative pillows and other decorative bedding. Also, the interior space may be used to store pillows to be used when the bed is occupied for rest or sleep instead of decorative pillows not intended for use.

The rack provides an easy, accessible place to store a blanket, comforter, duvet, quilt, or other decorative bedding to reduce contact with dust and debris, and limiting wrinkling or fold lines. The rack may also be lockable in the extended position.

Embodiments of the invention may resemble a traditional piece of furniture such as a chest, trunk, wardrobe, armoire, chest of drawers, etc., depending on a desired decorating style for a room with a bed having decorative bedding that needs to be stored when the bed is in use. In some embodiments, the bedding storage unit may include one or more drawers that may be used to store linens for the bed, or other items. Similarly, in some embodiments, bedding storage units may include doors that provide access to the interior space of a bedding storage unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description can be better understood in light of Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a bedding storage unit;

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view illustration of the bedding storage unit illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top view illustration of the bedding storage unit of FIG. 1.

Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of inventive bedding storage units and methods for using and making the bedding storage units. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different Figures represent the same component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that embodiments of bedding storage units and associated methods of using the units can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, exemplary embodiments and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated units and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other devices and techniques conventionally used in the industry. For example, while the description below focuses on an embodiment as a chest, the apparatus and associated methods could be equally applied with other situations, such as built-in storage benches, wardrobe cabinets, and other furniture and storage options.

One exemplary bedding storage unit is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. In the Figures, a bedding storage unit is configured as chest 100. Chest 100 includes body 110, lid 120, doors 130, drawer 140, and rack 150. Body 110 may provide interior space 114 defined by the sides and back, doors 130, lid 120, and bottom 116 of chest 100 or shelf 144, if shelf 144 is used, such that interior space 114 is sufficiently voluminous to accommodate decorative pillows and other decorative bedding as desired. In some embodiments, interior space 114 may be of sufficient dimensions to accommodate pillows that are used when sleeping. Thus, chest 100 may accommodate pillows for sleeping while the decorative bedding is displayed on the bed to be exchanged for the decorative bedding when the bed is used for sleeping.

Interior space 114 may be dimensioned such that it will accommodate large pillows laying flat on bottom 116, allowing for sufficient storage for decorative pillows, throw pillows, and other objects disposed on the bed when displaying the decorative bedding to be stored while the bed is in use. For example, in one embodiment, interior space 114 may be sufficiently voluminous to accommodate at least four king-sized pillows stacked on each other with lid 120 closed. In other embodiments, pillows may be stacked side-by-side to maximize use of volume to allow for other items such as odd-shaped pillows and stuffed animals to fill interior space 114. Similarly, shelf 144 can be adjusted within interior space 114 to optimize pillow-space and provide maximum additional space below shelf 144.

Body 110 may be made in any desired design or style that accomplishes storage of decorative bedding as described. For example, body 110 may include feet 112 or other decorative features. Similarly, body 110 may be made of any material selected to accomplish desired design and style preferences. For example, chest 100 may be made of cedar to appear as a traditional dresser, cedar chest, steamer trunk, leather chest, or other furniture style. Similarly, chest 100 may be made of any suitable material, such as woods, plastics, veneers, or any other material suitable for storage furniture.

Lid 120 may be hinged such that when opened, lid 120 reveals interior space 114. Lid 120 may include slow-closing hinge 122 to prevent accidental injury by lid 120 shutting suddenly. In some embodiments, lid 120 may remain open when chest 100 is being used to store decorative bedding, such as when rack 150 is in an extended position, as shown in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, lid 120 may be made such that lid 120 may be closed when rack 150 is in an extended position, allowing pillows or other items to be within interior space 114 while rack 150 supports a comforter or blanket. In such embodiments, the top of lid 120 may also support decorative bedding.

Doors 130 may include left door 132 and right door 134 or may be a single door, depending on a desired look of the bedding storage unit. Doors 130 may provide access to interior space 114 when lid 120 is closed with objects on top of lid 120, or when rack 150 is in use restricting access through the top of chest 100 to interior space 114. Similarly, in some embodiments, a bedding storage unit according to the present invention may not have doors, with access to interior space 114 only through lid 120. In other embodiments, access to interior space 114 may be accomplished only through doors 130, such as in a bedding storage unit according to the present invention that resembles a chest of drawers, armoire, or wardrobe.

Drawer 140 may provide additional storage for decorative bedding, or may be used to store space linens or a space blanket for use on the bed. In some embodiments, multiple drawers may be used, or no drawers, depending on the style of the bedding storage unit. For example, in embodiments resembling wardrobes dressers, chests of drawers, or armoires multiple drawers may be included in a lower portion while a single rack or multiple racks, similar to 150, for holding or hanging blankets, duvets, or comforters may be located in an upper portion.

Rack 150 may be included in chest 100 to allow for decorative bedding such as blankets, duvets, comforters, etc., to be draped or hung in such a way to reduce fold marks or wrinkles when the decorative bedding is replaced on the bed. In some embodiments, the bedding can be put over rack 150 in essentially the same configuration as it would be placed on the bed, perhaps with a few folds, and it can be put right back on the bed with a minimum of effort. Also, rack 150 may provide a secure, clean place to accommodate the decorative bedding without collecting dust or other debris that may be present on the tops of furniture or on the floor where such bedding is commonly placed when the bed is to be used, or when the linens are changed.

Rack 150 may include supports 152 which may be placed in an extended position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by raising crossbar 156 such that supports 152 extend out of support guides 154. Rack 150 may also be in a retracted position when chest 100 is closed such that rack 150 is concealed when not extended. Support guides 154 may be attached to body 110 to provide support to rack 150. Supports and support guides may be telescoping, nested, or any other relationship that allows supports 152 to be extended out of interior space 114. Supports 152 and support guides 154 may include a locking mechanism such as a pin, latch, or other device to lock rack 150 in an extended position.

In some embodiments, rack 150 may be hinged such that each support 152 is rotated to place rack 150 in the extended position. Similarly, rack 150 may be provided in chest 100 in any manner that allows rack to be in an extended position and in a retracted position. For example, rack 150 may be attached to the inside or outside of body 110, within the walls of body 110, to lid 120, or to any other portion of chest 100 that provides placement for supporting decorative bedding as discussed herein.

As shown in FIG. 3, rack 150 may be located on each end of body 110. When rack 150 is in an extended position, each rack 150 on either end of body 110 may be placed at the same height to provide an elevated, symmetrical placement location for a decorative quilt, duvet, etc., allowing the decorative bedding to be suspended above the floor and any flat surface that may have accumulated dust.

In some embodiments, bedding storage units such as chest 100 may include more than one rack 150. For example, chest 100 may include rack 150 on each end of body 110, such that two racks 150 may extend up from the top of chest 150. Similarly, the front and back may also include racks. Multiple racks may allow a comforter to be suspended above chest 100 to allow easy access to interior space 114 even when supporting a comforter.

In some embodiments, the bedding storage unit may be made as a piece of a matching bedroom set. For example, a bed frame with a head board may be made in the same style as chest 100, and may also be the same style as other bedroom furniture.

In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous other variations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any manner. 

1. A storage unit for decorative bedding, comprising: a body generally forming a box; a lid hingedly connected to the body, the lid providing access to an interior space of the box, the interior space being sufficiently voluminous to hold a plurality of decorative pillows; and at least one rack coupled to the body, the at least one rack being disposable in both an extended position and a retracted position, such that the at least one rack is configured to hold decorative bedding when in the extended position, and the at least one rack is hidden from view when in the retracted position.
 2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of decorative pillows is four king-sized pillows.
 3. The unit of claim 1, wherein the decorative bedding held by the at least one rack is one of a duvet, a comforter, a quilt, and a blanket.
 4. The unit of claim 1, wherein the rack is coupled to the body in an interior portion of the box.
 5. The unit of claim 1, wherein the traditional piece of furniture is one of a dresser, a chest, an armoire, a wardrobe, a trunk, and a chest of drawers.
 6. The unit of claim 5, wherein the traditional piece of furniture is manufactured to match a bed headboard for placement in a room with the headboard as a set.
 7. The unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one rack is a plurality of racks coupled to the body.
 8. The unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one door configured to provide access to the interior space independent of the lid.
 9. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a drawer having dimensions for holding at least one set of bed linens.
 10. The unit of claim 1, wherein the at least rack is selectively lockable in the extended position.
 11. The unit of claim 1, wherein the decorative bedding storage unit resembles a traditional piece of furniture.
 12. The unit of claim 1, further comprising a shelf within the box, the shelf defining a bottom to the interior space.
 13. A storage unit for decorative bedding, comprising: a body generally forming a box, the box having an interior space, the interior space being sufficiently voluminous to hold a plurality of decorative pillows; a shelf disposed in the box, the shelf forming a bottom of the interior space; and a pair of racks coupled to the body, the pair of racks being symmetrically disposable in both an extended position and a retracted position, such that the pair of racks is configured to hold decorative bedding when in the extended position, and the pair of racks is hidden from view when in the retracted position.
 14. The unit of claim 13, further comprising a lid providing access to the interior space.
 15. The unit of claim 13, further comprising at least one door providing access to the interior space.
 16. The unit of claim 13, further comprising a drawer disposed below the interior space.
 17. The unit of claim 13, wherein each rack of the pair of racks is located on opposite sides of the body.
 18. The unit of claim 13, wherein the unit resembles traditional furniture.
 19. The unit of claim 18, wherein the traditional furniture is a chest.
 20. The unit of claim 13, wherein the pair of racks are lockable in the extended position. 